Head-to-head · Best ND Filter Kits

Hoya Variable Density II vs PolarPro Peter McKinnon VND Edition II

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Hoya Variable Density II and PolarPro Peter McKinnon VND Edition II score essentially the same (4.5 vs 4.5). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Ranked #4 in Best ND Filter Kits

Hoya Variable Density II

4.5

3 sources2 derived$203.9as of Aug 1

One ND3-ND400 (1.5-9 stop) variable filter replaces a whole bag of fixed ones, which is why the Hoya Variable Density II is the best all-round ND filter kit-in-one. Digital Camera World made it its favorite variable ND overall, praising 'negligible impact on sharpness, contrast and color rendition,' and a multi-filter comparison put the Hoya first for least color shift. The catch is the usual variable-ND 'X' pattern at maximum.

Strengths

— Generous ND3-ND400 range covers 1.5 to 9 stops in one filter
— Negligible impact on sharpness, contrast and color through the range
— Oversized front element reduces vignetting on wide lenses

Watch-outs

— Cross-polarization 'X' pattern appears at the maximum setting
— Slight blue cast at the very top of the range (pull back a stop)
— Variable ND, so not a true fixed-stop set for critical long exposures

$203.9 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #3 in Best ND Filter Kits

PolarPro Peter McKinnon VND Edition II

4.5

3 sources2 derived$249.99as of Aug 1

Video creators get two things from the PolarPro Peter McKinnon VND Edition II: class-leading image quality and tactile haptic stops you can feel without looking away from the shot. Shotkit rated it Highly Recommended with near-perfect category scores, and TechRadar called it 'pretty much flawless.' The premium price is the main barrier.

Strengths

— Pronounced haptic feedback at each stop for eyes-off adjustment
— Hard-stop system eliminates cross-polarization and vignetting
— Class-leading image quality with no major color shift

Watch-outs

— Expensive at around $250
— Occasional minor color inaccuracy correctable in white balance
— Each version covers only part of the range (need both for full span)

$249.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Hoya Variable Density II

The Hoya Variable Density II covers a wider range (1.5-9 stops) than the NiSi True Color ND-Vario (1-5 stops) or PolarPro VND (2-5 stops), and unlike the fixed Cokin Nuances Extreme kit it does it all in a single screw-in filter rather than a set.

PolarPro Peter McKinnon VND Edition II

The PolarPro VND uses hard stops like the NiSi True Color ND-Vario but adds pronounced haptic feedback the NiSi lacks; its 2-5 stop range matches the NiSi and is narrower than the Hoya Variable Density II, and it is a variable rather than a fixed set like the Cokin Nuances Extreme.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Hoya Variable Density II	PolarPro Peter McKinnon VND Edition II
Type	Variable ND (screw-in)	Variable ND (screw-in)
Range	ND3-ND400 (1.5-9 stops)	2-5 stops (ND4-ND32)
Glass	Multi-coated optical glass	Fused quartz / Cinema glass
Frame	Slim, oversized front element	Brass / aluminum
Control	Screw-in knob	Hard stops + haptic feedback
Thread Sizes	52-82mm options	67-95mm options
Coating	Multi-coated	Multi-coated
Material	Aluminum Optical Glass	Aluminum
Dimensions	3.03"L x 3.03"W	3.23"L x 3.23"W

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